How to Calculate GPA

Every letter grade has a number on the 4.0 scale:

• A / A+ 4.0 · A− 3.7
• B+ 3.3 · B 3.0 · B− 2.7
• C+ 2.3 · C 2.0 · C− 1.7
• D+ 1.3 · D 1.0 · D− 0.7 · F 0

Some colleges give an A+ 4.33. If you only have percents, turn them into letters first with the Grade Calculator.

1. Multiply each course's grade points by its credit hours. The result is called quality points.
2. Add up the quality points and add up the credits.
3. Divide quality points by credits.

For Math A (4 credits), English B+ (3), Biology A− (4) and History B (3):

Averaging the four grade points without credits gives 3.50. The difference comes from the 4-credit classes, which went better and count more.

Many high schools add points for harder classes, typically +0.5 for honors and +1.0 for AP or IB. An A in AP Calculus counts as 5.0, so a weighted GPA can go above 4.0.

Report both if a form asks: the unweighted GPA (everything on the 4.0 scale) and the weighted one. Colleges often recalculate GPAs with their own rules, so the unweighted number is the safer comparison.

Your cumulative GPA covers every credit so far. Turn your old GPA back into quality points, add this term's, and divide by all the credits:

The common mistake is averaging the two GPAs: (3.2 + 3.55) ÷ 2 = 3.38 treats a 14-credit term as if it were as big as 60 credits of history.

To reach a target, work out the quality points it needs and see what's left for the new credits:

With a 2.8 over 90 credits and a goal of 3.0:

• In one 15-credit term: (3.0 × 105 − 252) ÷ 15 = 4.2, impossible.
• Over 30 credits: (3.0 × 120 − 252) ÷ 30 = 3.6, tough but doable.

The more credits you've completed, the slower a GPA moves. That's why early semesters matter so much.

• Pass/fail: a pass earns credit but no grade points, so leave it out of the GPA. A fail may count as an F, depending on the school.
• Withdrawals (W): usually not counted at all.
• Retakes: many schools replace the old grade with the new one; others average both. Check your registrar's policy before planning around it.
• Transfer credits: often count toward graduation but not toward your GPA at the new school.

Check your answers with the GPA Calculator.

1. A (3 credits), B (3 credits), C (2 credits)
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   3.13. (12 + 9 + 4) ÷ 8 = 3.125.
2. A− (4), B+ (4), B (3), A (1)
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   3.42. 41 quality points ÷ 12 credits.
3. Weighted, one credit each: AP A, Honors B, regular A
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   4.17. (5.0 + 3.5 + 4.0) ÷ 3. Unweighted it's 3.67.
4. A 3.0 over 30 credits, then a 3.6 term of 15 credits. Cumulative GPA?
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   3.2. (90 + 54) ÷ 45. Not 3.3.
5. You have a 3.1 over 45 credits. What do you need in your next 15 credits for a 3.3?
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   3.9. (3.3 × 60 − 139.5) ÷ 15.
6. You have a 2.5 over 100 credits. Can one 15-credit term get you to 2.8?
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   No. You'd need (2.8 × 115 − 250) ÷ 15 = 4.8.